Red channel woes...

[marco_buonocore]

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>I've got a problem with an image I'm working on. I've scanned a

4x5 velvia transparency on an Imacon 848, and although the tranny is a

bit dark (it was expired) I was happy with it.</p>

<p>The situation is, after working on the file in Adobe RGB, I've

decided I'm going to print this as an 11x14 on the Agfa Dlab2 at my

lab. I guess the glossy paper is Agfa Sensatis. Well, when I convert

to the lab's profile, my red channel gets eaten alive. </p>

<p>Here are 3 photos. The first is the full colour shot in Adobe RGB.

The second is the red channel in Adobe RGB. The third is the red

channel after converting to the lab's profile:</p>

<a href="http://www.imageshack.us"><img

src="http://img188.echo.cx/img188/440/mcdonaldredchannel5ej.jpg"

border="0" width="395" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

<p>Needless to say, it just isn't good enough, IMHO. All the detail is

blown right out. We all know what the 'McDonald's Red' looks like;

it's like 'Blue Sky' and 'Green Grass'. When it's 'off' it registers

immediately in any viewer's eyes. So how would I go about doing this?

Is there any paper that can handle bright, saturated reds like this?

Out of curiosity, I plugged in a few of the lambda profiles I've got,

and it was the same story. Kodak's Metallic fared slightly better.</p>

<p>Any ideas or insights? It's be much appreciated!</p>

 

<p>Thanks!</p>

[minicucci]

Marco:

 

I'd try a couple of things. First, I'd convert the image's own profile to sRGB from Adobe RGB

before converting to the lab printer profile. I believe that most lab printers are setup for

sRGB, not Adobe RGB. Use the soft proof capabilities to determine which rendering intent

you want to use. I'd start with relative colormetric.

 

Next, turn on gamut warning and see if the sRGB conversion is clipping. I find that using a

selective color adjustment layer often cures any gamut issues. After proofing for gamut,

try the lab printer profile conversion and see if that clears up the problem.

[emre]

If you already have the lab's profile, there is no point in converting to sRGB in between. In fact, doing so will decrease the quality of the print. My suggestion is to play with the lightness; does it have to be so dark? Lightening it may squeeze the red through the gamut border. Otherwise, look for another lab.